View Full Version : Zelda: Spirit Tracks
CosmicMonkey
03-25-2009, 03:33 PM
New Celda for the DSi, with trains. Yes, trains. I'm really not sure what else to say....
http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/2788/zelda8.jpghttp://img149.imageshack.us/img149/1526/zelda9.jpg
Source: Joystiq Nintendo (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/25/gdc09-train-your-eyes-on-the-legend-of-zelda-spirit-tracks/)
deltoidsteep
03-25-2009, 04:17 PM
so far, i have yet to be disappointed with a zelda game. should be interesting to see how thy do it. that said, no i havent played the cdi ones. they dont count.
heybtbm
03-25-2009, 04:44 PM
New Celda for the DS, with trains. Yes, trains. I'm really not sure what else to say....
FTFY.
Anyway, Phantom Hourglass was pretty good, so I'm in for this one too.
joshnickerson
03-25-2009, 06:10 PM
Well. I'm honestly not sure what to make of it. One the one hand, you've got expanded awesome Phantom Hourglass gameplay.
On the other hand, Link looks a bit goofy in that engineer's outfit...
Hell, Zelda hasn't let me down yet. Bring it on!
Kickass keynote and announcements. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have an SD card to fill...
poloplayr
03-25-2009, 06:24 PM
now, if they could only lose or make the stupid stupid stylus controls from Phantom Hourglass optional!!!
Pantechnicon
03-25-2009, 06:30 PM
I loved Phantom Hourglass, and I'm also a fan of Link's cel-shaded look, too. Thus, I eagerly look forward to this.
...And here's hoping you can customize your train like you could your ship in Hourglass.
DigitalSpace
03-25-2009, 07:37 PM
Link's gonna drop a train on 'em!
(Couldn't resist.)
CosmicMonkey
03-25-2009, 10:32 PM
GDC '09 Preview Video (http://www.zelda.com/universe/game/spirittracks/index.jsp)
...And here's hoping you can customize your train like you could your ship in Hourglass.
Looking at the design of the train, I reckon you will be able to upgrade/customize it. It's another added feature that will be sure to make it over to the new game.
I actually quite enjoyed Phantom Hourglass myself. This looks quite good too. Full steam ahead....
hbkprm
03-26-2009, 01:20 AM
gonna love it
Great! As long as there isn't another stupid "hourglass" dungeon!
Nature Boy
03-27-2009, 11:43 AM
Great! As long as there isn't another stupid "hourglass" dungeon!
I agree. I hated that. It just feels like a way to artificially lengthen a game, in lieu of creating more dungeons.
I miss the LTTP days and having like 10 dungeons to navigate through.
To be honest, I'm totally burnt out on Zelda. It's all just too familiar to me now (having beaten something like 14 of them at this point), and I just get so frustrated that they refuse to do something as simple as put effort into modernizing it with some voice-over work.
Azraelscross
03-27-2009, 01:06 PM
as i said on another board i go to. This could go horribly, terribly wrong.
skaar
03-27-2009, 02:41 PM
Twilight Princess was a piece of coal in my stocking when it came out... Hopefully this new game doesn't derail a great franchise.
I think they might be on the right track with this one. Either that or it'll be another trainwreck.
Icarus Moonsight
03-27-2009, 03:14 PM
I like Nintendo and I like Zelda... but still, WTF!?! O_O
Gapporin
03-27-2009, 03:15 PM
Twilight Princess was a piece of coal in my stocking when it came out... Hopefully this new game doesn't derail a great franchise.
I think they might be on the right track with this one. Either that or it'll be another trainwreck.
Hopefully they've improved the engine since the last game. I have a feeling it'll pull gamers in.
Sonicwolf
03-27-2009, 03:51 PM
Why is the Zelda series starting to get more gimmicky with each game release?
Lady Jaye
03-27-2009, 05:22 PM
Phantom Hourglass was not gentle on my DS touchscreen... I hope that there will be an option for using the buttons instead of the touchscreen for swordplay. Anyway, the way I see it, better just wait and see before judging on the game.
Icarus Moonsight
03-27-2009, 05:31 PM
It is definably WTF worthy having trains in Zelda. The whole ocean/boat/pirate thing I can understand. It blends well with fantasy... but, trains? Airships would have made 1000% more sense... hell even starships! I'll try it, but I'm going to be highly skeptical until Lionel and Link proves otherwise.
What's next? Cameos of John Candy and Steve Martin? *rimshot*
Pantechnicon
03-27-2009, 05:42 PM
Phantom Hourglass was not gentle on my DS touchscreen... I hope that there will be an option for using the buttons instead of the touchscreen for swordplay.
My son and I went through two - count `em - two touchscreen protectors beating Phantom Hourglass when we shared one DS. Sheesh.
But take heart. I also remember in Hourglass that there's this one statue or something you could talk to in the lower levels of the main dungeon where one of the statues says something to the effect of "You know...in hindsight maybe we should have allowed for buttons as well as touch screen control." That made me laugh out loud because you don't hear that until you're about 85% done with the game. But it bodes well for the idea that any Zelda sequels on DS will have more control options.
Lady Jaye
03-27-2009, 05:51 PM
I do like the use of the touchscreen for the boomerang, though. But for quick swordplay, it's a killer for the screen.
The 1 2 P
03-27-2009, 06:47 PM
as i said on another board i go to. This could go horribly, terribly wrong.
Perhaps, but we also thought the same thing about the Wii and it's motion sensing controller when it was announced. And look how that turned out.....wait, was that a good example:confused:
heybtbm
03-27-2009, 06:50 PM
I do like the use of the touchscreen for the boomerang, though. But for quick swordplay, it's a killer for the screen.
My screen has no wear whatsoever...and I played through the whole game. What the hell are you people using as a stylus? Pens? Knitting needles?
Leo_A
03-27-2009, 08:03 PM
It is definably WTF worthy having trains in Zelda. The whole ocean/boat/pirate thing I can understand. It blends well with fantasy... but, trains? Airships would have made 1000% more sense... hell even starships! I'll try it, but I'm going to be highly skeptical until Lionel and Link proves otherwise.
What's next? Cameos of John Candy and Steve Martin? *rimshot*
Its no more stupid than controlling a steamship was in the first DS Zelda.
Cornelius
03-27-2009, 08:04 PM
My screen has no wear whatsoever...and I played through the whole game. What the hell are you people using as a stylus? Pens? Knitting needles?
I actually just finished Phantom today, and I was thinking the same thing. There are very few enemies that take more than 1 hit, so most of the time it is simply a tap on the screen. The rapid back and forth you have to do from time to time was pretty bad since you kinda have to press hard to move rapidly like that, but those are pretty infrequent.
And the ability to have built-in control over run/walk speed is pretty neat and opened up some interesting possibilities in the game, though it sucks for the moving platform parts.
RASK1904
03-28-2009, 01:30 AM
Wow! Thanx for the thread! Seriously, thanx!
djlr181
09-11-2009, 08:06 PM
New Zelda Spirit Tracks Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OYaWoHtPaM
Lostdwarf
09-11-2009, 09:54 PM
ty for that vid! i enjoyed it
Therealqtip
09-11-2009, 11:41 PM
PHG sucked cause you had to touch where you wanted to go, liked the style not how to move and im pretty sure this one is the same
guitargary75
09-12-2009, 09:25 PM
I'll buy it as usual!
joshnickerson
09-12-2009, 11:01 PM
PHG sucked cause you had to touch where you wanted to go, liked the style not how to move and im pretty sure this one is the same
Yeah, don't you hate how companies use the features of a game system to create new gameplay mechanics?
Leo_A
09-13-2009, 04:27 PM
When it's inferior, we sure do.
Lady Jaye
12-18-2009, 05:00 PM
Has anyone picked up the game? If so, how is it? Is it still as rough on the touch screen as Phantom Hourglass was?
Urzu402
12-18-2009, 05:19 PM
It controls exactly like Phantom Hourglass except you have to double tap the screen to roll, unlike drawing a circle on the outside edge of the screen in Phantom Hourglass.
megasdkirby
12-18-2009, 05:58 PM
Ugh...so there is no way to just use the DS controls by itself?
Are touch controls forced in the game?
Urzu402
12-18-2009, 06:03 PM
No I personally don't think they are forced, I think they are good, there are a few hiccups here and there but overall I think the controls are pretty solid.
EDIT: You use the buttons as shortcuts like to bring up the menu and use an item.
megasdkirby
12-18-2009, 06:07 PM
Thanks for the info.
I will get it anyway (can't beat $25 at Amazon), but I did not play the other Zelda (have it though) because of this.
Still good to collect.
Urzu402
12-18-2009, 06:10 PM
Oh, I forgot to say that the game uses the mic quite a bit you'll be blowing into your DS to use one of the items and the instrument.
Tallise
12-18-2009, 09:36 PM
Why is the Zelda series starting to get more gimmicky with each game release?
Agreed... e.e This train bussiness has me a skeptic of how great this game will be.
Enigmus
12-18-2009, 10:20 PM
Link's gonna drop a train on 'em!
(Couldn't resist.)
ert+y76p and a bunch of Linux from grandma and an offshore casino to that, man!
(Also couldn't resist)
Baloo
12-18-2009, 10:54 PM
I played the demo of Spirit Tracks and it felt like a total gimmick fest, between the train and guiding the huge dude around.
Why not go back to the way the original Zelda and Link to the Past and Link's Awakening played for once? A nice 2D revision would be nice, a la New Super Mario Bros.
Leo_A
12-19-2009, 03:56 AM
Agreed... e.e This train bussiness has me a skeptic of how great this game will be.
How is it any worse than Link using a steamboat in Phantom Hourglass? They already moved into 19th century technology with that game, steam locomotives were developed just a few years afterwards.
Wonder if Link will have an automobile or airplane in the sequel...
Give me a horse like Epona again and an overworld to explore rather than just watch as the game moves me from place to place.
Better yet, get Capcom involved again and create a 2d title like Link to the Past and Minish Cap. They did such a good job on the Oracle games, porting Link to the Past, and creating The Minish Cap. I'd rather see them develop the next handheld title.
portnoyd
12-19-2009, 06:50 AM
I played this game for 20 minutes and could not take the stylus control.
megasdkirby
12-19-2009, 07:10 AM
I played this game for 20 minutes and could not take the stylus control.
Well, at least I'm not the only one.
I don't mind the stylus control is ONLY they would also implement REGULAR controls.
Stupid ass Nintendo and their world of gimmicks.
Lady Jaye
12-19-2009, 10:03 AM
Since I've played through Phantom Hourglass, I have no problems with the stylus controls, and using the train is ok. I do agree that my initial reaction to the stealth parts was "not again!". It was a big part of Phantom Hourglass (avoiding the Phantoms) and it is used again in the beginning of Spirit Tracks (just to get Zelda out of the castle). Hopefully, it's not a gameplay element that appears too often, as I prefer out-and-out action to a "sneak without being spotted" game.
Urzu402
12-19-2009, 11:14 AM
Spirit Tracks is much improved from Phantom Hourglass I can't even finish Phantom Hourglass because of a certain dungeon. Also about the stylus controls, to each his own.
Red Warrior
12-19-2009, 12:37 PM
ert+y76p and a bunch of Linux from grandma and an offshore casino to that, man!
(Also couldn't resist)
Computer over. Virus = Very Yes.
Back on topic:
I can use the stylus controls if I have to, and I'll probably enjoy this game as I did Phantom Hourglass. However, I'll continue to wish for a game with classic controls. The stylus and Wiimote gimmicks are really getting tiresome... which is why I'm so worried about the next Wii installment of Zelda and its almost guaranteed motion control (unlike the GameCube version of Twilight Princess which was so much better).
I'm in agreement with those who suggested that Capcom develop the next Zelda title, as they did a commendable job with the Oracle games and Minish Cap. As much as I enjoyed Phantom Hourglass, it didn't hold a candle to the greatness that was Minish Cap.
guitargary75
12-21-2009, 09:37 PM
I'm sure it will be good. But, Link just looks like a jackass in that outfit! WTF!
Daria
12-21-2009, 11:16 PM
I'm sure it will be good. But, Link just looks like a jackass in that outfit! WTF!
He changes his clothes very earlier on in the game. So no worries about the engineer get up.
Raedon
12-21-2009, 11:23 PM
He changes his clothes very earlier on in the game. So no worries about the engineer get up.
Yep. Helping the Princess get the fuck out of the castle. Much more fun then Hanging with some cowardly ship captain.
GameDeals.ca
12-22-2009, 02:27 AM
Having completed Spirit Tracks, here is my brief review.
It's a lot like Phantom Hourglass, but slightly better. Traditional Zelda game in almost every way, and while great compared to other "non-Zelda" games, when compared to the other games in the Zelda franchise it will not be remembered as a standout.
Overall it was very easy until the last bit of dungeon & boss fights which were very difficult (I bought the strategy guide since all of the online FAQ's were 2-3 dungeons behind me).
Worth playing if you like Zelda games, but don't expect anything epic.
Raedon
12-22-2009, 09:10 AM
Agreed... e.e This train bussiness has me a skeptic of how great this game will be.
I hear a lot of people wondering what trains have to do with Zelda.
The game was developed in a land where trains are how you get from point A to point B. Not cars, not planes, but trains. What's the mystery of the Spirit Tracks? The game's mythology and story center around something the Japanese have to use every day. To me, this is a fresh take on the Zelda franchise that isn't pissing me off like Zelda 2 did when I bought that stinky Side-scrolling suppository back in the day.
drummy
12-22-2009, 08:20 PM
I hate these Zeldas with the sneaking around. I am terrible at stealth, so I only played the DS versions for maybe 20 minutes each before giving up because I couldn't get past a certain point using stealth. My last favorite Zelda game was Minish Cap. Now THAT was a great game.
Oh, and I never played Twilight Princess. Blasphemy, I know.
RPG_Fanatic
12-23-2009, 09:09 AM
Well, at least I'm not the only one.
I don't mind the stylus control is ONLY they would also implement REGULAR controls.
Stupid ass Nintendo and their world of gimmicks.
That's why I haven't bought either one of the DS Zelda's. You should be able to use the D-pad or stylus.
johndarkness
12-23-2009, 10:20 AM
Having completed Spirit Tracks, here is my brief review.
It's a lot like Phantom Hourglass, but slightly better. Traditional Zelda game in almost every way, and while great compared to other "non-Zelda" games, when compared to the other games in the Zelda franchise it will not be remembered as a standout.
Overall it was very easy until the last bit of dungeon & boss fights which were very difficult (I bought the strategy guide since all of the online FAQ's were 2-3 dungeons behind me).
Worth playing if you like Zelda games, but don't expect anything epic.
Yes it's a bit of easy and short game if you just follow the main story, but if you do in the mean time also the optional quest it will help you a lot with the main line as you gain more hearts and items. So then the last dungeon is as easy as the others.
GameDeals.ca
12-24-2009, 09:33 PM
Yes it's a bit of easy and short game if you just follow the main story, but if you do in the mean time also the optional quest it will help you a lot with the main line as you gain more hearts and items. So then the last dungeon is as easy as the others.
Oh don't get me wrong, the last dungeon wasn't hard in the "I keep dying" kind of way, it was hard in the "I can't figure out where the hell I'm going" way. Having to backtrack a lot to get different phantoms all the time from different areas got confusing.
Tupin
12-26-2009, 12:44 AM
Just finished the first dungeon, and I'm decently impressed. This game mixed with Phantom Hourglass would have been awesome. This game handles the idea of a central dungeon better, while the first one has a more fun transportation gimmick as well as more exploration.
Why is Niko an old man if this game takes place directly after Phantom Hourglass?
Urzu402
12-26-2009, 12:52 AM
It takes place 100 years after Phantom Hourglass not directly after.
Tupin
12-26-2009, 01:10 AM
It takes place 100 years after Phantom Hourglass not directly after.
Ah, I see.
What's next in terms of Zelda transportation? An airship would be cool.
c0ldb33r
12-26-2009, 10:40 PM
i stopped playing the phantom hourglass because of the dungeon that you had to repeat after every boss. i found it boring and frustrating.
does this game have anything similar?
kupomogli
12-26-2009, 10:55 PM
I don't mind the stylus control is ONLY they would also implement REGULAR controls.
Stupid ass Nintendo and their world of gimmicks.
When the touch screen is used for stuff like Masters of Knifing on Resident Evil, Feel the Magic, and Rub Rabbits, among other games, it's actually a really solid experience.
Zelda Phantom Hourglass was okay with the touchscreen, but felt too repetitive poking at the screen. No game beats out how repetitive it felt playing Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword though.
They need to make another Zelda game as good as Ocarina of Time or Wind Waker if they're going to keep it in 3d though. The only good 3d Zelda games I've played. Nintendo should put the next Zelda on the Wii and leave out motion controls except for fishing and archery and allow someone to use a controller if they want to though.
Enigmus
12-26-2009, 11:49 PM
Ah, I see.
What's next in terms of Zelda transportation? An airship would be cool.
A decade from now: Link storms around in an M81 Abrahms. "EAT GODDAMN ROCKETS AND LEAD, OCTOROK!" ROFL
Nature Boy
12-27-2009, 03:43 PM
To me, this is a fresh take on the Zelda franchise.
To me, this is new controls layered on top of the old formula to make it *feel* like it's fresh, even though it likely isn't very fresh at all.
I'll get it at some point I'm sure. Even though, as I said, I'm still burnt out on Zelda and wish they'd join the modern age of gaming a little. The siren's call is irresistable...